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Doctor Who Target Books (Numerical Order) #98
Doctor Who: The Invasion
Materialising in outer space, the TARDIS is attacked by a missile fired from the dark side of the moon.
Back on Earth, the newly-formed United Nations Intelligence Taskforce, led by Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart, is disturbed by a series of UFO sightings over Southern England.
Meanwhile, a large consignment of mysterious crates is delivered to the headquarters of International Electromatix, the largest computer and electronics firm in the world.
Three seemingly unconnected events — but in reality the preparations for a massive Cyberman invasion of Earth with one aim — the total annihilation of the human race.
Back on Earth, the newly-formed United Nations Intelligence Taskforce, led by Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart, is disturbed by a series of UFO sightings over Southern England.
Meanwhile, a large consignment of mysterious crates is delivered to the headquarters of International Electromatix, the largest computer and electronics firm in the world.
Three seemingly unconnected events — but in reality the preparations for a massive Cyberman invasion of Earth with one aim — the total annihilation of the human race.
159 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published May 1, 1985
4 people are currently reading
286 people want to read
About the author
Ian Marter
26 books23 followersIan Don Marter was born at Alcock Hospital in Keresley, near Coventry, on the 28th of October 1944. His father, Donald Herbert, was an RAF sergeant and electrician by trade, and his mother was Helen, nee Donaldson.
He was, among other things, a teacher and a milkman.
He became an actor after graduating from Oxford University, and appeared in Repertory and West End productions and on television. He trained at the Bristol Old Vic. He was best known for playing Harry Sullivan in the BBC Television series Doctor Who from 1974 to 1975, alongside Tom Baker and Elisabeth Sladen. He had already appeared in the show as Lieutenant John Andrews in the Jon Pertwee serial Carnival of Monsters. He had numerous TV roles including appearances in Crown Court and Bergerac (Return of the Ice Maiden, 1985, opposite Louise Jameson).
Marter got into writing the novelisations following a dinner conversation. He went on to adapt 9 scripts over ten years. He started with The Ark in Space, the TV version of which he'd actually appeared in as companion Harry Sullivan. In the end he adapted more serials than he appeared in (7 appearances, 9 novelisations), and wrote one of the Companions series, telling of the post-Doctor adventures of Harry in Harry Sullivan's War. Shortly before his death he was discussing, with series editor Nigel Robinson, the possibility of adapting his unused movie script Doctor Who Meets Scratchman (co-written with Tom Baker) into a novel.
He was, among other things, a teacher and a milkman.
He became an actor after graduating from Oxford University, and appeared in Repertory and West End productions and on television. He trained at the Bristol Old Vic. He was best known for playing Harry Sullivan in the BBC Television series Doctor Who from 1974 to 1975, alongside Tom Baker and Elisabeth Sladen. He had already appeared in the show as Lieutenant John Andrews in the Jon Pertwee serial Carnival of Monsters. He had numerous TV roles including appearances in Crown Court and Bergerac (Return of the Ice Maiden, 1985, opposite Louise Jameson).
Marter got into writing the novelisations following a dinner conversation. He went on to adapt 9 scripts over ten years. He started with The Ark in Space, the TV version of which he'd actually appeared in as companion Harry Sullivan. In the end he adapted more serials than he appeared in (7 appearances, 9 novelisations), and wrote one of the Companions series, telling of the post-Doctor adventures of Harry in Harry Sullivan's War. Shortly before his death he was discussing, with series editor Nigel Robinson, the possibility of adapting his unused movie script Doctor Who Meets Scratchman (co-written with Tom Baker) into a novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
February 28, 2019
A precursor for what was to come during the Third Doctor’s era, as UNIT (United Nations Intelligence Taskforce) the military organisation that deals with alien involvement on Earth is properly introduced.
Throw in an iconic monster with the Cybermen, this makes for a great adventure.
I like that the Cybermen don’t appear until midway through the story, it gives the Doctor chance to become reacquainted with Lethbridge-Stewart (who’s now been promoted to Brigadier) and lays the foundations for more adventures in the future.
Marter really explores the various side characters perfectly, especially Zoe pairing up with Isobel.
Tobias Vaughn is such a great foil for The Doctor, whilst all the subtle hints to who’s lurking in the background is cleverly plotted throughout.
Throw in an iconic monster with the Cybermen, this makes for a great adventure.
I like that the Cybermen don’t appear until midway through the story, it gives the Doctor chance to become reacquainted with Lethbridge-Stewart (who’s now been promoted to Brigadier) and lays the foundations for more adventures in the future.
Marter really explores the various side characters perfectly, especially Zoe pairing up with Isobel.
Tobias Vaughn is such a great foil for The Doctor, whilst all the subtle hints to who’s lurking in the background is cleverly plotted throughout.
August 22, 2021
This is a novelization of the third story of the sixth season of Doctor Who, which was broadcast in November and December of 1968, and featured the second version of the character. The Doctor's companions in the book are the aggressively Scottish Jamie McCrimmon from the 18th century and Zoe Heriot, astrophysicist and librarian and mathematician from the far-future 21st. UNIT is introduced in the story, along with Corporal Benton and the newly-promoted Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart returns. Ian Marter wrote the novel, which is based on a teleplay by Derrick Sherwin and the original story outline by Kit Pedler. Marter, who wrote several good adaptations from the classic years of the show (but who will always be best remembered as an actor, for his portrayal of Harry Sullivan), incorporated several details and scenes that didn't end up on screen, so some of his expansions may have come from Pedler's version. The story is a fairly typical one for the time, as the TARDIS needs repair and The Doctor and his companions become embroiled with local scientists and authorities, eventually discovering that the Cybermen are plotting an invasion they need to thwart. I did enjoy Marter's description of The Doctor frenziedly flying about the control room, perhaps foreshadowing Matt Smith's violent antics several generations down the line. It's a good story, somewhat longer than most of the Target adaptations, with good interactions of the main characters. Thank goodness Zoe gets her numbers straight!
October 12, 2021
I am going to give this 3.5 stars. There are a lot of good things but also some things that are a bit of a stretch. UNIT going from "hands tied" to requisitioning a Soviet rocket seems a little too much for the still relatively infant organization. Though the characters note that the cooperation is unprecedented ! This is also my first 2nd Doctor story so I am unfamiliar with him and his companions. Perhaps future stories will grow on me a little more. The Brigadier of course was excellent and I always love his appearances.
January 9, 2019
This was a very good novelisation of a very good Doctor Who story.
I actually find it harder to review good books I like than not-so-good ones I don't. In a good story, I get caught up by the writing and the telling and fall into the story. Something has to be either really good, or annoying, to catch me up enough to come out of the story and note the point. That means reviews of good stories have a tendency to become a recollection of nit-picky little complaints.
So what notes did I make on The Invasion?
Yay, we start with a good one. Marter describes the Doctor at the TARDIS console: "like a crazed concert pianist he madly manipulated the switches and savagely kicked the column". Yes, I can totally imagine the Second Doctor doing that with glee.
Nothing to do with the book itself, beyond Marter having a good vocabulary in the 1980s, but I'm so used to being able to highlight a word in a digital book to look it up, that I reached out a couple of times to do the same on the paper page before remembering I couldn't. What is NAAFI tea? I need to know, because the status of the tea follows through. (According to The Telegraph: Its NAAFI Break tea, which has been served to British service personnel since 1921, is said to differ from the average cuppa due to its “premium quality blend that gives a rich, strong taste and a real military flavour”.)
There were a couple of occasions I questioned whether Jamie or Zoe would have the pop culture knowledge they display in the story. It doesn't matter - it adds to the atmosphere in the story - but like I said above, it popped me out of the story momentarily. Jamie writes "Kilroy was here" in the dust on the top of the lift/elevator and (I looked this one up) Wikipedia tells me it's a US expression from World War II, so I question whether it is something he would know about. Is this on the TV? I could did out my DVD and check it, but I want to get this written first. Later, Zoe comments that "Big Brother is watching us". Same question - why would she know this? It's also a comment that I think works better is prose than in dialog. I may need a rewatch after all, to see if it's on screen.
But hey, another happy note - and it's about the tea again. The Brigadier "dunked the remains of the biscuit impatiently while he waited for the situation reports. It fell apart and floated on the top." I love that far more than it probably deserves. It's a little moment, totally unimportant to the plot, that shows character and adds so much depth to the tale. It's moments like this that make Marter so good at producing something that feels like a novel rather than a transcript. That can't be said for all the other Target novelisations, some of which really are little more than a transcript with a bit of padding.
Okay, here's the one thing that I really, actually disliked instead of just noticing. Jamie is opening a manhole cover and "Isobel, with her photographic gear slung around her neck, looked on admiringly." Why, oh why, did we need that last word? It's unnecessary. It's unneeded and the fact we're sexualising a man instead of a woman for once doesn't make it any better. It also reduces Isobel's character in a way that damaged her later flirting with Turner, because now she seems shallow instead of interested in the latter. I'm probably making a huge mountain out of a molehill here (and of course a woman can admire two different men), but it just wasn't necessary in a strong book that was managing well without doing any objectifying. Grrrr.
See, I've finished on a sour note for a book I enjoyed reading. Something small becomes a bigger criticism because all in all, it's a good book that I liked. Honestly, it's a good novelisation and I'm sorry all over again that the world lost Ian Marter too soon.
I actually find it harder to review good books I like than not-so-good ones I don't. In a good story, I get caught up by the writing and the telling and fall into the story. Something has to be either really good, or annoying, to catch me up enough to come out of the story and note the point. That means reviews of good stories have a tendency to become a recollection of nit-picky little complaints.
So what notes did I make on The Invasion?
Yay, we start with a good one. Marter describes the Doctor at the TARDIS console: "like a crazed concert pianist he madly manipulated the switches and savagely kicked the column". Yes, I can totally imagine the Second Doctor doing that with glee.
Nothing to do with the book itself, beyond Marter having a good vocabulary in the 1980s, but I'm so used to being able to highlight a word in a digital book to look it up, that I reached out a couple of times to do the same on the paper page before remembering I couldn't. What is NAAFI tea? I need to know, because the status of the tea follows through. (According to The Telegraph: Its NAAFI Break tea, which has been served to British service personnel since 1921, is said to differ from the average cuppa due to its “premium quality blend that gives a rich, strong taste and a real military flavour”.)
There were a couple of occasions I questioned whether Jamie or Zoe would have the pop culture knowledge they display in the story. It doesn't matter - it adds to the atmosphere in the story - but like I said above, it popped me out of the story momentarily. Jamie writes "Kilroy was here" in the dust on the top of the lift/elevator and (I looked this one up) Wikipedia tells me it's a US expression from World War II, so I question whether it is something he would know about. Is this on the TV? I could did out my DVD and check it, but I want to get this written first. Later, Zoe comments that "Big Brother is watching us". Same question - why would she know this? It's also a comment that I think works better is prose than in dialog. I may need a rewatch after all, to see if it's on screen.
But hey, another happy note - and it's about the tea again. The Brigadier "dunked the remains of the biscuit impatiently while he waited for the situation reports. It fell apart and floated on the top." I love that far more than it probably deserves. It's a little moment, totally unimportant to the plot, that shows character and adds so much depth to the tale. It's moments like this that make Marter so good at producing something that feels like a novel rather than a transcript. That can't be said for all the other Target novelisations, some of which really are little more than a transcript with a bit of padding.
Okay, here's the one thing that I really, actually disliked instead of just noticing. Jamie is opening a manhole cover and "Isobel, with her photographic gear slung around her neck, looked on admiringly." Why, oh why, did we need that last word? It's unnecessary. It's unneeded and the fact we're sexualising a man instead of a woman for once doesn't make it any better. It also reduces Isobel's character in a way that damaged her later flirting with Turner, because now she seems shallow instead of interested in the latter. I'm probably making a huge mountain out of a molehill here (and of course a woman can admire two different men), but it just wasn't necessary in a strong book that was managing well without doing any objectifying. Grrrr.
See, I've finished on a sour note for a book I enjoyed reading. Something small becomes a bigger criticism because all in all, it's a good book that I liked. Honestly, it's a good novelisation and I'm sorry all over again that the world lost Ian Marter too soon.
October 24, 2021
The original TV serial is one of the highlights of the Second Doctor's era. But can Ian Marter do it justice in a mere 160 pages (20 pages per episode), especially given that he dislikes Cybermen stories? The answer is yes - he's an even better writer than Terrance Dicks, and the short format makes this into a fast-paced adventure that distracts the reader from the typically dodgy plot that characterises any Cybermen story. Only at the end do you realise how incompetent the Cybermen are, relying on a homing beacon to land an invasion force and failing to equip their ships with any anti-missile defences.
February 27, 2021
A wonderful adaptation of a favourite Troughton story, and surprisingly gory at times for a target novelisation.
July 25, 2011
There are two types of novelizations: novels and novelizations. This one is definitely a novel. Ian Marter (who played Harry Sullivan in the early Tom Baker stories) takes this novelization of The Invasion above the faults and tediousness of most other Target novelizations. The result: a novel readable not only by the original audience but by older fans alike.
The best part of these books is seeing the deleted scenes and alternate scenes missing from the television story. These include a proper exit for the character of General Rutledge and the rescue of Professor Watkins (which leads to an alternate death for the character of Gregory). These are coupled with Marter's violence, gory descriptions, and language to make a novel readable not only by the original target (no pun intended) audience and older fans alike.
In fact the thing that separates this from the other Target books I've read is that very fact: it's readable not only by the original target (no pun intended) audience but by older fans too. This is due in no large part to the author whose violence, gory descriptions, and language supplement an all ready suspenseful story from the television series. In fact one wonders if it was the Martar novelizations that inspired the writers of the New Adventures which were to become controversial for those exact same aspects.
The faults in the novel are very much the faults of the original story. The Cybermen make a late appearance in the story and they are, for the most part, nothing more then tin soldiers. The early section of the story is slow to say the least and it's only mid-way through Chapter Four (around a third of the way in) that the story really starts moving. Like the TV version, the story's final chapters are the best.
The Invasion is definitely an above average Target Doctor Who novel. It lacks the faults and tediousness of most other Target novelizations and replaces them with just enough violence, gory descriptions, and language to make the novel stand out well above the rest. While the TV version is now on DVD, this novel makes for an interesting alternative that is well worth reading.
The best part of these books is seeing the deleted scenes and alternate scenes missing from the television story. These include a proper exit for the character of General Rutledge and the rescue of Professor Watkins (which leads to an alternate death for the character of Gregory). These are coupled with Marter's violence, gory descriptions, and language to make a novel readable not only by the original target (no pun intended) audience and older fans alike.
In fact the thing that separates this from the other Target books I've read is that very fact: it's readable not only by the original target (no pun intended) audience but by older fans too. This is due in no large part to the author whose violence, gory descriptions, and language supplement an all ready suspenseful story from the television series. In fact one wonders if it was the Martar novelizations that inspired the writers of the New Adventures which were to become controversial for those exact same aspects.
The faults in the novel are very much the faults of the original story. The Cybermen make a late appearance in the story and they are, for the most part, nothing more then tin soldiers. The early section of the story is slow to say the least and it's only mid-way through Chapter Four (around a third of the way in) that the story really starts moving. Like the TV version, the story's final chapters are the best.
The Invasion is definitely an above average Target Doctor Who novel. It lacks the faults and tediousness of most other Target novelizations and replaces them with just enough violence, gory descriptions, and language to make the novel stand out well above the rest. While the TV version is now on DVD, this novel makes for an interesting alternative that is well worth reading.
February 9, 2019
This is one of those rare Target books that covers the scope of the episode, along with adding extra, and fleshing the characters out. I had forgotten that Ian Marter wrote this, so when it came next up, I was looking forward to after seeing how he wrote other Target books.
Of course this is one of the classic stories about the Cybermen trying to invade Earth. Tobias Vaughn is helping them, but you have a lot of build up, since the Cybermen don't show up until halfway through.
When you compare this to the original episodes, you see where Marter adds to a scene with an extra sentence or two. It might not sound like much, but it helps to bring more life into aspects of the story. In one area he actually adds a scene that was only referenced to in the episode.
Another improvement he did was the character Packer. On TV you wonder with how he acted, why Vaughn did not get rid of him sooner. He is written with the same lines, but the presentation makes him more tolerable and you get to see his thoughts as well.
The plot is a basic Cyberman attempt to invade Earth. Because the first part is trying to figure out what is going on, this lifts it above repetition. I am impressed with an eight part story being able to work within the Target restrictions.
Not quite the perfect story, but it comes close. It is not due to the writing this gets four stars, just the plot seems drawn out a tad too long.
Of course this is one of the classic stories about the Cybermen trying to invade Earth. Tobias Vaughn is helping them, but you have a lot of build up, since the Cybermen don't show up until halfway through.
When you compare this to the original episodes, you see where Marter adds to a scene with an extra sentence or two. It might not sound like much, but it helps to bring more life into aspects of the story. In one area he actually adds a scene that was only referenced to in the episode.
Another improvement he did was the character Packer. On TV you wonder with how he acted, why Vaughn did not get rid of him sooner. He is written with the same lines, but the presentation makes him more tolerable and you get to see his thoughts as well.
The plot is a basic Cyberman attempt to invade Earth. Because the first part is trying to figure out what is going on, this lifts it above repetition. I am impressed with an eight part story being able to work within the Target restrictions.
Not quite the perfect story, but it comes close. It is not due to the writing this gets four stars, just the plot seems drawn out a tad too long.
May 21, 2011
Eight rather over-rated Troughton-era, late-60s "Doctor Who" episodes, condensed into a rather brutal & violently-satisfying novelizaiton. Reading this you can tell that Ian Marter was both inspired BY the story...and inspired to MAKE it even better than the original.
December 18, 2024
Based on the script by Derrick Sherwin, from a story by Kit Pedler. This number 98 in Target catalogue. The first cover was done by Andrew Skilleter and the second by Alister Pearson. Both covers are excellent as far as I’m concerned. Andrew gets UNIT into the frame and depicts the cyber guns as they were in the episode. And Alister does on excellent portrait of Troughton looking pensive.
I’ve got to admit I’ve got a soft spot for all the Cybermen stories. I’ve always loved them more than the Daleks. From Tenth Planet through to Siliver Nemsis, Cybermen rock! Not only does this story have Cyberman, but it’s the first UNIT story. The Brig is now the Brig. This story has everything that makes Classic Who classic.
One of the odd things I noticed in this book is they drink a hell of a lot of tea. At one point the Doctor even dunks a sandwich in his tea. I know there’s a couple of scenes in the TV version where they imbibe, but it’s taken to the extreme in the book. And the Brig has super sugary tea. That didn’t seem right for his character, he seems a no sugar man to me.
The other thing I noticed is Ian is a lot more blood thirsty in here than in the TV epsidoe. For instance the undercover UNIT agent who gets shot at the start is described as (pg 16)
The next moment half the driver’s head had been blown off all over the inside of the cab.
The copper who followed Jamie, Zoe, an Isobel into the sewer (pg 108):
They averted their faces as Turner’s flashlight picked up the young constables scorched remains. A few metres along the tunnel. The gaping terror-stricken face was puckered like shrivelled polythene.
And then a couple of pages later Perkin’s cops it (pg 110):
Perkins threw up his arms and staggered backwards, his uniform ablaze and his frozen face a treacly mask.
And then Vaughn has Routledge kill himself in a scene (pg95) that’s not even in the broadcast version. And this is only the bits I noted down. There were even more.
These aren’t complaints, they were just surprising. I wasn’t expecting it to be so graphic. Mary Whitehouse certainly wouldn’t have stood for it.
This is another great adaptation that I will happily re-read.
I’ve got to admit I’ve got a soft spot for all the Cybermen stories. I’ve always loved them more than the Daleks. From Tenth Planet through to Siliver Nemsis, Cybermen rock! Not only does this story have Cyberman, but it’s the first UNIT story. The Brig is now the Brig. This story has everything that makes Classic Who classic.
One of the odd things I noticed in this book is they drink a hell of a lot of tea. At one point the Doctor even dunks a sandwich in his tea. I know there’s a couple of scenes in the TV version where they imbibe, but it’s taken to the extreme in the book. And the Brig has super sugary tea. That didn’t seem right for his character, he seems a no sugar man to me.
The other thing I noticed is Ian is a lot more blood thirsty in here than in the TV epsidoe. For instance the undercover UNIT agent who gets shot at the start is described as (pg 16)
The next moment half the driver’s head had been blown off all over the inside of the cab.
The copper who followed Jamie, Zoe, an Isobel into the sewer (pg 108):
They averted their faces as Turner’s flashlight picked up the young constables scorched remains. A few metres along the tunnel. The gaping terror-stricken face was puckered like shrivelled polythene.
And then a couple of pages later Perkin’s cops it (pg 110):
Perkins threw up his arms and staggered backwards, his uniform ablaze and his frozen face a treacly mask.
And then Vaughn has Routledge kill himself in a scene (pg95) that’s not even in the broadcast version. And this is only the bits I noted down. There were even more.
These aren’t complaints, they were just surprising. I wasn’t expecting it to be so graphic. Mary Whitehouse certainly wouldn’t have stood for it.
This is another great adaptation that I will happily re-read.
March 2, 2021
A good novelisation of a strong TV story, let down somewhat by the limited page length, causing the book to rush at times.
I like the general build up, and the 'hiding' as such of the main enemy, similar to Earthshock in that regard, though the cover does spoil the enemy, but the characters don't find out until quite late in the piece, which adds a nice layer of mystery to it.
This one very much feels like a deliberate forerunner of the Third Doctor's UNIT years, with the (now) Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart returning, the first time UNIT and Benton feature in a story, and a very Earth centric tale.
The Doctor, Jamie and Zoe all get some good moments in here, Jamie showing his normal action man type of stuff, and Zoe showing her cleverness quite well in a couple of memorable scenes, and the Doctor being his trademark self, scruff, comical at times but clever and determined as well.
The UNIT crew also good in here, as well as the other one off characters, though we only see the Brigadier and Benton again.
The antagonists are good here as well, well fleshed out, and quite menacing at times, and showing that certainly not stupid either. Builds to a strong finish, and just a shame it couldn't be a longer novel.
I like the general build up, and the 'hiding' as such of the main enemy, similar to Earthshock in that regard, though the cover does spoil the enemy, but the characters don't find out until quite late in the piece, which adds a nice layer of mystery to it.
This one very much feels like a deliberate forerunner of the Third Doctor's UNIT years, with the (now) Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart returning, the first time UNIT and Benton feature in a story, and a very Earth centric tale.
The Doctor, Jamie and Zoe all get some good moments in here, Jamie showing his normal action man type of stuff, and Zoe showing her cleverness quite well in a couple of memorable scenes, and the Doctor being his trademark self, scruff, comical at times but clever and determined as well.
The UNIT crew also good in here, as well as the other one off characters, though we only see the Brigadier and Benton again.
The antagonists are good here as well, well fleshed out, and quite menacing at times, and showing that certainly not stupid either. Builds to a strong finish, and just a shame it couldn't be a longer novel.
January 25, 2019
A slam bam action story that still had some room for the Doctor, Jamie and Zoe to all have a decent amount of 'screen-time'. I recently watched the first season of the Peter Davidson years and one notable thing about that year was it had three companions and just not enough for them to do. One was often locked away in the Tardis or otherwise dropped from the story. Here Zoe makes a girlfriend who is in on the action throughout the story, even if the girls get the C plot, and yet it felt like everyone had some reason for existing in the novel and that included quite a lot action for Unit and the beloved Brig.
Inherently any sci-fi story from the 1960s involving computers and cybernetic monsters is going to feel a bit dated and this does. Still if you enjoy Doc Two and Jamie, not to mention Cybermen, Unit and a catsuited Zoe, there is a lot here to enjoy.
Inherently any sci-fi story from the 1960s involving computers and cybernetic monsters is going to feel a bit dated and this does. Still if you enjoy Doc Two and Jamie, not to mention Cybermen, Unit and a catsuited Zoe, there is a lot here to enjoy.
May 20, 2025
You didn't really need Ian Marter to spruce up the Target adaptation of The Invasion, because it really already is one of the best Second Doctor stories. In fact, I sort of miss particular pieces of dialog or bits of actor business when reading it. But it's essentially all there already: A Cyberman story that focuses more on excellent human villains (it feels like a Robert Holmes script, but isn't), with lots of mystery and action, and the seminal introduction of UNIT. What Marter brings to it is unexpected moments of harsh violence (of course) and a couple of replacement bits of business of his own (like the Doctor's kooky sign-offs). So it's all a bit more dangerous-seeming because described action doesn't have to then be realized with TV-level fight choreography or censors, but If you asked me to pick, I'd still go with the televised version, in a heartbeat.
August 23, 2025
Always loved this story but I do feel it takes awhile for the plot to really getting going before a quick ending. I would of liked more expansion on the actual invasion itself. Don't get me wrong I don't find the 8 part story to drag on TV but as a book it does feel it slightly. But Ian marter does an excellent job at making those scenes, both drama and action really enjoyable. There are a few moments that make Vaughn really nasty compared to the tv story too. I also feel like the relationship between isobel and the captain was written much better here too, you can see a spark between them here.
April 7, 2023
Doctor Who : The Invasion (1985) by Ian Marter is the novelisation of the third serial of the sixth season of Doctor Who.
The Second Doctor, Jamie and Zoe just avoid a missile on the dark side of the moon. Then they appear on earth with a damaged TARDIS. They seek out someone for repairs and find a sinister electronics company.
As may also be guessed from the cover the Cybermen are involved. This would be their last real appearance for seven years in Doctor Who.
The serial is the first to feature UNIT.
The Invasion isn’t a bad Doctor Who serial.
The Second Doctor, Jamie and Zoe just avoid a missile on the dark side of the moon. Then they appear on earth with a damaged TARDIS. They seek out someone for repairs and find a sinister electronics company.
As may also be guessed from the cover the Cybermen are involved. This would be their last real appearance for seven years in Doctor Who.
The serial is the first to feature UNIT.
The Invasion isn’t a bad Doctor Who serial.
December 30, 2021
this isn't a bad book. it's not a bad episode. but if you're going to experience this story, just pick one format to do it in. not only did i choose to do both, I did it on the same day, which unfortunately made my enjoyment of both severely stunted by repetition. its a finely written book and a great episode, but the plot happens beat for beat in the exact same way in both stories, which makes experiencing both feel like you're going insane
February 25, 2022
3.5/5
I always think it's a shame when a good writer's adapting these longer stories, because it leaves them less space to flesh out their own ideas. A few nice details here, though, and while I'm assuming it's for space reasons I'm glad they cut that scene where Jamie and Benton complain about women, because honestly a lot of that sequence dampens my enthusiasm for what I otherwise think is a great story.
I always think it's a shame when a good writer's adapting these longer stories, because it leaves them less space to flesh out their own ideas. A few nice details here, though, and while I'm assuming it's for space reasons I'm glad they cut that scene where Jamie and Benton complain about women, because honestly a lot of that sequence dampens my enthusiasm for what I otherwise think is a great story.
January 13, 2024
I enjoyed reading about the Doctor and Brigadier's second encounter. I have always loved UNIT stories and the Brigadier. Reading about the Cybermen invasion stirred memories of watching the reconstructed serial a decade ago. I love Jamie and Zoe as companions. Isobel is such a fun character and I love her romance with Captain Jimmy Turner. Tobias Vaughn is a good villain. I honestly wish Packer had the chance to turn on Vaughn.
February 26, 2022
There were several clumsy plot points in this story, but I don't think they were Ian Marter's fault. I think they were in the original story.
Still, it was a fun story to read, as it included some story and character elements that fit when the episodes were first broadcast, and some very 1960s ideas of what computers could do.
Still, it was a fun story to read, as it included some story and character elements that fit when the episodes were first broadcast, and some very 1960s ideas of what computers could do.
November 22, 2023
Een audioboek om je te doen beseffen dat de waarden en normen van de eerste doctors intussen gelukkig al een serieuze update gekregen hebben. Al kun je vast wel argumenteren dat het hypermodern was om een vrouwelijk personage te zegenen met programmeerskills, de rest voelt grotendeels toch wat gedateerd aan.
December 30, 2023
This is a bit more like it: Marter produces a thrilling adaptation of an excellent story. There’s still a lot of running around between just a few locations but you barely notice because it is so gripping. Like The War Machines, this gives us a glimpse into the near future of the show and it looks great.
April 17, 2025
I enjoyed this book. This story was the first time U.N.I.T. was in a DW. We also get one of my favorite characters, Brigadier Alistair Lethbridge-Stewart. Overall, I liked the plot and thought the author did a good job with pacing. Some of the side characters were a bit irksome, but other than that, it was a fun read.
October 16, 2022
Another fun Two adventure. I think I saw this one while watching classic Who -- not sure if it is a full surviving episode or a fragmented one but in any case, the book helped me piece it together better in my mind. Always fun!
November 18, 2023
This book was a real step up after reading the Enemy of the World with its great action and brutality and with even a swear word. Ian Marter really tried it on and succeeded.
January 13, 2025
The author managed to sort out quite a few problems with the original serial, to produce a wonderful story that is fun for the whole family.
November 28, 2020
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A splendid novelisation with the action taking place at breathless speed to get the 8 episodes into the page count... Certainly a better outing than normal.
A splendid novelisation with the action taking place at breathless speed to get the 8 episodes into the page count... Certainly a better outing than normal.
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October 21, 2007http://nhw.livejournal.com/763482.html[return][return]The TV original of this story has just been released on DVD. This was an eight-part story when first broadcast, here cut down to 160 pages, so a rather extreme rate of compression. But somehow Marter makes it work as he failed to with "The Enemy of the World"; better material to work with, true, but I actually found the plot somewhat easier to follow in the novel as well. The villainous Tobias Vaughn, brilliantly brought to life by Kevin Stoney on screen, is better in some ways here, with several hints that he has already become more (or perhaps less) than completely human, and his change of heart at the end of the story (when he takes on the Cybermen) more consistently portrayed as a fanatic changing targets rather than as a human being brought to his senses we saw on TV. At the same time, no written description can possibly convey Stoney's sinister drawl.
November 23, 2022
An excellently written novelisation of the Second Doctor serial of the same name. Marter has a terrific writing style and while a bit more gory and graphic than the televised version, I felt this added to the experience.
I really enjoyed listening to this via audiobook which was wonderfully narrated by David Troughton. The combination of Marter's writing and Troughton's narration really meshed together to create a story which kept me gripped.
I really enjoyed listening to this via audiobook which was wonderfully narrated by David Troughton. The combination of Marter's writing and Troughton's narration really meshed together to create a story which kept me gripped.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 4, 2013
One of the best adventures of the Second Doctor, his third meeting with the Cybermen has them on Earth for the first time, battling the forces of UNIT. This story has a definite Quatermass feel to it, and while the adaptation was excellent, it is really worth seeking out and watching the original serial.
October 29, 2016
A 1980s novelization based on a 1960s story that templates the rise of UNIT and earth-bound invasion stories, 'The Invasion' by Ian Marter (who played Harry opposite Tom Baker's Doctor) riffs on themes of fear of technology and corporate fascism, but reduces its story to a lot of running around between buildings. I would rather read Isobel Watkin's photo essay on the events.
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